Mainz Christmas market
The Christmas market in Mainz , first recorded as Nikolose Market in 1788 , takes place from the end of November to December 23 on the historic cathedral squares around the Mainz Cathedral , namely on the market with the festively decorated Heunensäule , Liebfrauenplatz and Höfchen .
Market building
The hay column in the middle of the market serves as the central focal point. This is optically supported by fairy lights that converge on the column.
The market fountain is a giant nutcracker figure and since 2011 on the Liebfrauenplatz in the former choir laid down Liebfrauenkirche the oversized replica of a music box.
To make it easier to find your way around the Christmas market, the alleys between the stalls in the three squares will also be given Christmas names during this time.
particularities
advent Calendar
At the transition from the Höfchen to the market there is an advent calendar about 2 meters high . The corresponding door / window is opened every day and typical Christmas or Mainz motifs appear behind it.
stage
There is a stage on Liebfrauenplatz. Events for children are held here in the afternoon. Afterwards choirs sing or music associations play.
Christmas crib
Is on the market behind the Bonifacio Monument or before the St. Gotthard Chapel of Mainz Cathedral , the nativity scene and before a stage. The nativity scene with its life-size lime wood figures is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The figures were carved and painted by hand by the wood sculptor and artist Sepp Erhard from Unterammergau . Josef , Maria and the baby Jesus were the first figures in the nativity ensemble from 1981. The Schaustellerverband Rheinhessen eV - headquarters in Mainz, took over the order and financing. By 1988, the original group was expanded to include the three wise men , shepherds, an angel and animals.
Christmas pyramid
At the Höfchen is the eleven-meter-high Christmas pyramid , which has been produced by an Erzgebirge wood art company since 2002 with financial support from the Christmas market suppliers. The Christmas pyramid has five levels. In addition to the typical figures of a Christmas pyramid, there are also very typical Mainz figures on the first level: The Schoppestecher , a soccer player from Mainz 05 , Det von der Mainzelmännchen , a carnivalist and a runner from the Gutenberg Marathon .
On the second, third and fifth levels there are typical winter and Christmas figures, such as two children building a snowman or Santa Claus with a sack on his back.
The fourth level again contains Mainz figures, these are:
- The inventor of the printing press Johannes Gutenberg with the Gutenberg Bible in hand
- City architect Eduard Kreyssig with a model of the Christ Church in hand.
- Bajazz with the lantern ( Bajazzo and Mainz Carnival )
- Bishop ( Diocese of Mainz )
- The Roman city goddess Moguntia ( Mogontiacum )
Runner of the Gutenberg Marathon
In 2009, the football player disappeared on the night of the derby game between Mainz 05 and Eintracht Frankfurt . Almost a year later, the dismembered figure was delivered to the Mainz 05 office in a package. In the meantime, however, a new figure had been commissioned in the Ore Mountains and assembled in Mainz. After the return, the upper half of the dismembered figure adorned the office of the head of the Mainz city administration responsible for market affairs.
Christmas thaler
In some years the city, together with the Allgemeine Zeitung, Sparkasse Mainz , Mainzer Volksbank and EuroMint, will issue a Christmas thaler in two different coins (silver and gold). A donation is included in the sales price. Motives:
- 2013: Illustration of the Korbgassenmadonna / Christmas market with hay column and cathedral
Awards
In a 2012 study by the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, which asked "Who has the most attractive Christmas market?" , Visitors found the Christmas markets in Wiesbaden , Karlsruhe and Mainz to be particularly Christmassy.
In December 2013, the city of Mainz honored 20 Christmas market showmen for 20 years of loyalty with the plaque: "Mainz Christmas Market - traditional business". Two feeders have even been there since the new edition of the Christmas market in 1974.
Call 2014
After the 2013 Christmas market season, many contracts with the previous stand operators expired, and the city administration announced that the stands were to be reassigned. Many of the previous companies, which had previously been recognized for their long tradition, were no longer considered in this award procedure. During Midsummer Night , the responsible department head of the city was given a list with over 3,000 signatures, which were in favor of maintaining the traditional businesses. A similar controversy arose in the city of Münster in 2014 when the market stalls were re-tendered.
After the administrative court stopped the stand allocation procedure at the request of some rejected applicants, the city had to carry out the allocation procedure again. The market suppliers were then able to apply again until mid-September, the city of Mainz sent corresponding commitments for the Christmas market by mid-October 2014, and the market then opened regularly on November 27, 2014.
More Christmas markets in Mainz
There is also a small Christmas market on the Bahnhofplatz in front of the main train station , mainly stalls selling food and drinks.
Christmas markets are also held in the individual districts.
Mombach starts on the Friday before the first Advent, followed a day later by the districts of Drais, Finthen, Marienborn and Ebersheim.
Gonsenheim hosts the market on Saturday and the first Sunday in Advent. The markets in Hartenberg-Münchfeld and Laubenheim only take place on the first of Advent.
The Bretzenheim Christmas market takes place on the second weekend of Advent. The event ends in the Hechtsheim district on the third weekend in Advent (Saturday and Sunday).
In addition, there are further Christmas markets in Mainz's old town at Schillerplatz and Neubrunnenplatz , which are, however, approved as special uses and not in the context of the market statutes.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Andreas Nöthen: Stolen "05er" dismembered and delivered to the office. In: Mainzer Rhein-Zeitung , November 18, 2010
- ↑ Michael Bermeitinger: "It's like coming home" - Next week the booth town opens under the light tent / Christmas thaler presented. In: Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz ; P. 13 of November 20, 2013
- ↑ Who has the most attractive Christmas market? South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences , November 19, 2012
- ↑ Martin Senne: City honors Christmas market showmen for many years of loyalty / Some have been there since the premiere in 1974. In: Allgemeine-zeitung.de , December 5, 2013
- ↑ Michael Bermeitinger: Christmas Market Mainz: After honoring the expulsion - anger and despair because of the new allocation of the stands. In: Allgemeine-zeitung.de , June 6, 2014
- ↑ Monika Nellessen, Michael Erfurth, David Sauer: Mainz Christmas Market: Traditional businesses should remain - 3,000 signatures collected. In: Allgemeine-zeitung.de , July 8, 2014
- ↑ Gabriele Hillmoth: Debate about the Christmas market: An off without an announcement. In: wn.de ( Westfälische Nachrichten ), July 25, 2014
- ↑ City accepts decision of the administrative court: Administrative court stops the procedure for the allocation of stands / City prepares new allocation procedure / Custom: "The goal remains the opening of the Christmas market on November 27th" ( Memento of December 18, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Press release of the city of Mainz from 13. August 2014
- ↑ Mainz Christmas Market: City awards new stands. In: swr.de , August 22, 2014
- ↑ Alexandr Darnev: Bratwurst and visit from Nikolaus - clubs invite you to the city districts from the weekend . In: Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz ; Issue: Wednesday, November 27, 2013; P. 12
Web links
Coordinates: 49 ° 59 ′ 58 ″ N , 8 ° 16 ′ 25 ″ E